Okay, so I finally got around to pressure washing my deck. Been putting it off for ages, but the grime was just too much. The question was, though: what PSI is actually good for a pressure washer when you're tackling a wood deck? I figured I'd share my experience 'cause it was a bit of a learning curve.

First off, I did some digging online. You see all sorts of numbers thrown around – from like, 500 PSI all the way up to 3000 PSI! That's a huge range! I knew blasting it with too much pressure would just tear up the wood, so I wanted to be careful.

I started with my pressure washer's lowest setting. Mine can go down to around 600 PSI. I figured, "Let's be gentle." I filled up my soap dispenser with some deck cleaner I picked up at the hardware store. I sprayed a small, inconspicuous area first – you know, just to test things out. Waited a few minutes, then went at it with the pressure washer.

Honestly? It barely did anything. The dirt was still there. The grime wasn't budging. 600 PSI was a joke. I felt like I was just giving the deck a light misting.

Next, I bumped it up to around 1200 PSI. I figured double the pressure, double the cleaning, right? Same process: sprayed the cleaner, waited, then blasted away. It was better, definitely. I could see some of the dirt washing away, but it was still slow going. I had to go over the same spot multiple times to really get it clean. My back was starting to ache. This was taking forever!

So, I bit the bullet and cranked it up to 1800 PSI. Now we're talking! I could see the difference immediately. The dirt and grime were just flying off the wood. It was so much faster and easier. But… I also noticed some slight etching on the wood in a couple of spots. Yikes! That's when I realized I had to be really careful with the nozzle distance and the angle.

Here's what I learned after a couple of hours of scrubbing (and a few more test spots):

• 1800 PSI was the sweet spot for MY deck. Yours might be different depending on the type of wood and how old/weathered it is. Always test in an inconspicuous area first!
• Nozzle distance matters! Keep the nozzle at least 8-12 inches away from the wood. Closer than that and you risk damaging it.
• Angle is key! Don't spray directly at the wood grain. Use a slightly angled approach to avoid etching.
• Patience is a virtue. Don't rush it. Slow, even strokes are better than trying to blast everything off at once.

In the end, my deck looks fantastic! It took a while, and I learned a lot in the process. I'm glad I didn't just crank it up to the max PSI and start blasting away. I would have definitely ruined the wood.

So, to answer the question "what is a good PSI for a pressure washer on a deck?", it really depends. But based on my experience, somewhere between 1500-2000 PSI is a good starting point. Just remember to test, be careful, and don't be afraid to adjust the pressure and technique as you go.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go enjoy my freshly cleaned deck!